This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/somerset/7426967.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Flood crews' 'busiest night ever' Flood crews' 'busiest night ever'
(10 minutes later)
Fire crews tackling flood emergencies in Somerset said it was their "busiest night in living history".Fire crews tackling flood emergencies in Somerset said it was their "busiest night in living history".
Homes in the worst-hit areas of south Somerset were evacuated after a sudden and heavy burst of rain on Thursday evening.Homes in the worst-hit areas of south Somerset were evacuated after a sudden and heavy burst of rain on Thursday evening.
Devon and Somerset fire service said Crewkerne, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Wells were most severely affected.Devon and Somerset fire service said Crewkerne, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Wells were most severely affected.
Four people were rescued when their car became stuck in a flood at Langford Bridge near Honiton, in Devon.Four people were rescued when their car became stuck in a flood at Langford Bridge near Honiton, in Devon.
By late Thursday night, the flooding was beginning to subside almost as soon as it had begun, but hundreds of homes had been flood-damaged.By late Thursday night, the flooding was beginning to subside almost as soon as it had begun, but hundreds of homes had been flood-damaged.
At the storm's peak, the fire brigade was taking calls "every few seconds" from worried residents, with more than 350 emergency calls received in two-and-a-half hours.At the storm's peak, the fire brigade was taking calls "every few seconds" from worried residents, with more than 350 emergency calls received in two-and-a-half hours.
Spokesman Andy Newland said the flood happened in different circumstances to the deluges that wreaked havoc across parts of north, south and central England last summer.Spokesman Andy Newland said the flood happened in different circumstances to the deluges that wreaked havoc across parts of north, south and central England last summer.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
CCTV of serious flooding after heavy rainfall in Somerset Footage of serious flooding after heavy rainfall in Somerset
He said: "It was a typical flash flood, gone almost as quickly as it came. It has quietened down considerably overnight.He said: "It was a typical flash flood, gone almost as quickly as it came. It has quietened down considerably overnight.
"It's very different from what happened in Gloucestershire because that built up for many days."It's very different from what happened in Gloucestershire because that built up for many days.
"This was literally that a tremendous amount of water came down with very little warning and the surface water drainage couldn't handle it.""This was literally that a tremendous amount of water came down with very little warning and the surface water drainage couldn't handle it."
Many people attending the annual Bath and West show in Shepton Mallet were stranded as they tried to leave the flood-hit showground.Many people attending the annual Bath and West show in Shepton Mallet were stranded as they tried to leave the flood-hit showground.
A BBC Weather video animation shows the weather which caused flash floodsA BBC Weather video animation shows the weather which caused flash floods
Dan Mountain, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We had about seven cars stuck in water leaving the showground.Dan Mountain, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We had about seven cars stuck in water leaving the showground.
"We considered bringing in the RAF helicopter but it was not required and it was stood down.""We considered bringing in the RAF helicopter but it was not required and it was stood down."
County councillor and Crewkerne resident John Dyke said: "We really had a mammoth problem here in Crewkerne with several inches of rain falling in 10 to 15 minutes.County councillor and Crewkerne resident John Dyke said: "We really had a mammoth problem here in Crewkerne with several inches of rain falling in 10 to 15 minutes.
"I was absolutely gobsmacked. I'm over 60 and I can recall it happening twice in living memory, but nowhere as bad as this."I was absolutely gobsmacked. I'm over 60 and I can recall it happening twice in living memory, but nowhere as bad as this.
"It's the sheer amount of water falling in a short period which has caused the problems.""It's the sheer amount of water falling in a short period which has caused the problems."
Crewkerne Chamber of Commerce has offered help to any trader affected by the floods.Crewkerne Chamber of Commerce has offered help to any trader affected by the floods.
"While our hearts go out to any business affected, we are glad there has been no reported personal injury," said chairman Marcus Barrett."While our hearts go out to any business affected, we are glad there has been no reported personal injury," said chairman Marcus Barrett.
This weekend's Sunrise Celebration music festival at Bearley Farm near Yeovil has been officially called off due to the bad weather conditions.This weekend's Sunrise Celebration music festival at Bearley Farm near Yeovil has been officially called off due to the bad weather conditions.
Organisers said the decision was made for safety reasons after heavy rain waterlogged the ground.Organisers said the decision was made for safety reasons after heavy rain waterlogged the ground.
An operation was taking place to help stall-holders and revellers who had already arrived to leave the site.An operation was taking place to help stall-holders and revellers who had already arrived to leave the site.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.
If you have a large file you can upload here.If you have a large file you can upload here.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
Name